at Jamaica within Queens County on Long-Island and on every Saturday of the Week at Kingston in the County of Vlster on every Wednesday of the Week at Westchester in the County of Westchester publick and open Markets to which Markets it shall and may be lawfull for all and every the Inhabitants and Sojourners of this Province to go frequent and resort and thither to carry all sorts of Cattle Grain Victuals Provisions and other Necessaries together with all sorts of Merchandize whatsoever and at the publick Market-place that shall be assigned and appointed in each respective Town aforesaid them to expose to sale or barter in gross or by retail between the hours of Eight of the Clock in the Morning and Sun-set of the same day without the payment of any Toll or any other let hinderance or molestation whatsoever And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there shall likewise be held and kept in each respective City and County throughout the Province and at the Times Places hereafter named Twice yearly and every year a Fair. To which Fair it shall and may likwise be lawful for all and every Person or Persons Inhabitants Strangers or Sojourners of this Province c. to the said Place and Places at the said Time and Times where the said respective Fair and Fairs are to be held and kept to go frequent and resort and thither to carry or cause to be carried all sorts of Cattle Horses Mares Colts Grain Victuals Provisions and other Necessaries together with all sorts of Merchandize of what Nature soever and them to expose to Sale or Barter in Gross or by Retail at the Times Hours and Seasons that the Governors or Rulers of the said respective Fairs for the Time being shall proclaim and appoint And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there be kept Yearly for the City and County of New-York two Fairs at the City of New-York The first Fair annually to commence the last Tuesday of April in every year and to end upon the Fryday then next following being in all four days inclusive and no longer And the second Fair to commence the first Tuesday of November in every year and to end upon the Fryday then next following being in all four dayes inclusive and no longer And also That there be held and kept one Fair annually and once in the Year for Kings County on Long-Island at Flat bush in the said County to commence the second Tuesday of October every Year and to end upon the Fryday then next following being in all four days inclusive and no longer And also That there be held and kept two Fairs yearly for Queens County on Long-Island the first Fair to be held annually at Jamaica within the said County on the first Tuesday in May in every Year and to end on the Fryday then next following being in all four days inclusive and no longer The second Fair to commence on the third Tuesday of October and to end on the Fryday then next following being in all four dayes inclusive and no longer And also That there be held and kept two Fairs yearly for the County of Suffolk on Long-Island the first Fair to be held annually at Southhamption the first Tuesday of July in every year and to end on Fryday then next following being in all four dayes inclusive and no longer And the second Fair at Southold to commence the second Tuesday of September and to end upon the Fryday then next following being in all four dayes inclusive and no longer And also That there be held in the City and County of Albany two Fairs yearly the first Fair to be kept at Albany and to commence the third Tuesday of July and to end on the Fryday then next following being in all four dayes inclusive and no longer The second Fair to be held at Crawlier in Ranslaerswick on the third Tuesday in October and to end on the Fryday following being in all four dayes inclusive and no longer And also That there be held kept two Fairs yearly for the County of Vlster the first to be kept at Kingstone on the third Thursday in March and to end on the Saturday then next following being three days inclusive and no longer And the second Fair to begin the second Thursday in October and to end on the Saturday following And also that there be held and kept two Fairs yearly for the County of Westchester the first to be kept at the Town of Westchester in the said County on the second Tuesday in May and to end on the Fryday following being in all four days inclusive and no longer And the second Fair to be kept at Rye in the said County on the second Tuesday of October yearly and to end the Fryday then next following being in all four days and no longer And also that there be held and kept two Fairs yearly in the County of Richmond the first on the North side of the Island on the last Tuesday in June and to end on the Friday following being in all four days inclusive and no longer And the second Fair to be kept at the said place on the last Tuesday in September and to end on the Friday then next following being in all four dayes inclusive and no longer All which Fairs at the Times and Places aforesaid in each respective County respectively shall be holden together with a Court of Pypouders and with all Liberties Free Customs to such Fairs appertaining or which ought or may appertain according to the Usage and Customs of Fairs holden in their Majesties Realm of England And for the more regular Government of the several and respective Fairs afore-mentioned the Governour shall commissionate and appoint such persons or persons in each respective County aforesaid where such Fairs are to be holden and kept to be Governours and Rulers of the said Fairs respectively Which Governor or Ruler so appointed and commissionated as aforesaid is hereby authorized and impowered to have hold a Court of Pypouders together with all Liberty and free Custom to such appertaining And that they and every of them may have and hold there at their and every of their respective Courts the said _____ dayes from day to day and hour to hour from time to time upon all occasions Plaints and Pleas of a Court of Pypouders together with all Summons Attachments Arrests Issues Fines Redemptions and Commodities and other Rights whatsoever to the same Court of Pypouders any way pertaining without any impediment let or hinderance whatsoever Alwayes provided That the Governour or Ruler of the said respective Fairs aforesaid shall or cause Cry and publish within and without the Liberties of the said respective Fairs Where they shall hold the same the time that they ought to hold it and no longer And that every Governour or Ruler of the respective Fairs aforesaid at the beginning of his Fair shall there cry proclaim and publish how long that
Act unto Major Richard Ingoldsby the Sum of one Hundred Pounds and to Capt. William Kidd the Sum of one Hundred and Fifty Pounds as a suitable Reward and Acknowledgement for the good Services done by them before your Excellency's arrival here An Act for the raising of two Thousand Pounds for paying and defraying the Incidental Charges according to establishment of one hundred Fuzileers with their proper Officers for one who e Year FOr the securing the Fronteers of this Province in the County of Albany it is thought convenient that his Excellency the Captain General do raise one Company to consist of one hundred Fuzileers with their proper Officers which shall remain in the said County for the defence thereof one whole Year to commence on the 28th day of March now last past Be it therefore Enacted by the Governour and Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly And it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same That a Levy of two Thousand Pounds currant Money of this Province be laid assessed raised and levyed upon all and every of the Inhabitants Residents and Free-holders of and in this Province for the paying and defraying the incidental Charges of the said Company of Fuzileers and their Officers for one whole Year as aforesaid and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever To be laid assessed raised levied and paid unto their Majesties Collector and Receiver General for the time being at their Majesties Custom-House in the City of New-York at the times hereafter mentioned That is to say one half or Moyety of the said two Thousand Pounds at or before the 25th of July now next ensuing and the other moyety or half part at or before the 25th day of March which shall be in the Year of our Lord 1692. according to the Rates and Proportions following that is to say For the City and County of New-York Four Hundred Pounds For the City and County of Albany One Hundred and Eighty Pounds For the County of Westchester one hundred and forty Pounds For the County of Richmond one hundred and twenty Pounds For the County of Vlster and Dutches County two hundred and fifty Pounds For the County of Suffolk three hundred and fifty Pounds For Kings County two hundred and sixty Pounds For Queens County two hundred and sixty Pounds For the County of Orange fifteen Pounds For Dukes County twenty five Pounds And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That for the better assessing raising and rating the Sum of two thousand Pounds aforesaid the Mayor and Aldermen within the City of New-York the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Albany with the Justices of the Peace for the City and County of Albany for the time being and the Justices of the Peace for the time being for the several respective Counties aforesaid for the several Counties respectively for which they shall be Justices of the Peace do forth-with upon the Publication hereof assemble and meet together at the Court-Houses for the several respective Cities and Counties or such other place or places as they shall agree upon amongst themselves and shall there order that the Assessors and Collectors for the several respective Cities Towns Mannors and Liberties within their several Jurisdictions for the Assessing Collecting and receiving of the publick Rates for the defraying the pubick and necessary Charge of each respective City and County aforesaid be the Assessors and Collectors for the assessing collecting and receiving the Sum or Sums of Money herein before mentioned according to the Proportions before expressed as to the said Mayor Aldermen and Justices shall seem meet and reasonable Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Mayor Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the respective Cities Counties Mannors and Jurisdictions have and shall have Power and Authority by virtue of this Act each of them by himself to administer an Oath to the said Assessors Well truly equally and according to their best Vnderstanding to assess and rate the Inhabitants Residents and Free-holds of the respective places for the which they shall be chosen Assessors And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons who shall be chosen Assessors or Collectors shall deny neglect or refuse to take Oath as aforesaid or shall in any ways deny neglect or refuse to make such Assesment as by this Act is required or shall deny neglect or refuse to collect any Sum or Sums of Money in form before mentioned assessed that then and in such case it shall and may be lawful for any two of their Majesties Justices of the Peace of the County where such Offenders shall happen to dwell or reside and who by virtue of this Act are required and impowered to do the same by Warrant under their Hands and Seals to commit such Assessor or Assessors Collector or Collectors so denying refusing or neglecting to the common Goal there to remain without Bail or Mainprize till he or they shall make Fine and Ransom to their Majesties for such Contempt as above-said And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons of what Degree or Quality soever he or they be of within this Province who shall be assessed or rated any Sum or Sums of Money by virtue of this Act to be raised or levied shall deny refuse or delay to pay and satisfie the same That then it shall and may be lawful for any such Collector by virtue of a Warrant under the hand and seal of any Justice of the Peace for the City and County where such Offenders shall dwell or reside who by virtue of this Act are required and authorized to grant and issue forth such Warrants to levy the same by distress and sale of such Person or Persons Goods and Chattels returning the over-plus of such Goods and Chatâ—les to the owners the sum assessed and Charges of Distress and Sale being first deducted if any such over-plus shall happen to be And also Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Mayor Alderman or Justice of the Peace within this Province who are hereby required impowered and authorised to take effectual care that this Act and every Article and Clause therein be truly executed according to the true and genuine sence and intent thereof shall deny refuse neglect or delay to do perform fullfill and execute all and every or any the Duties Powers and Authority by this Act required and impowered by him or them to be done performed fullfilled and executed and shall thereof be lawfully convicted before any of their Maiesties Courts of Record within this Province he or they shall suffer such Pain by Fine Imprisonment as by the discretion of the Justices of the said Courts shall be adjudged And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that if any Action Bill Plaint or Information shall be brought moved or presented at any time hereafter against any person or
Aldermen within the City of Albany with the Justices of the Peace for the City and County of Albany for the time being and the Justices of the Peace for the time being for the several respective Counties aforesaid for the several Counties respectively for the which they shall be Justices of the Peace do within forty dayes after the publication hereof assemble and meet together in the Court Houses for the several respective Cities and Counties or such other place or places as they shall agree upon among themselves and shall there order that the Assessors and Collectors for the several respective Cities Towns Mannors or Liberties within their several Jurisdictions for the assessing collecting and receiving of the publick Rates for the detraying of the publick Charge of each respective City and County aforesaid be the Assessors and Collectors for the assessing collecting or receiving the sum or sums of Money herein before mentioned according to the Proportions before expressed as to the said Mayors Aldermen and Justices shall seem meet and reasonable And forasmuch as there are several Mannors and Juâ—isdictions within the respective Counties aforesaid who neglect or do not elect annually or once every year Assessors or Collectors whereby the intent of this Act may be frustrated Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if the respective Mannors Jurisdictions within the several Counties aforesaid shall refuse or neglect to elect Assessors and Collectors for assessing of their respective Mannors or Jurisdictions and for the collecting the same according to the intent and direction of this Act then and in such case the Justices of the Peace in the Counties where such Mannors or Jurisdictions are are hereby impowered and authorized to nominate and appoint Assessors and Collectors for such Mannors or Jurisdictions as shall neglect or refuse as aforesaid Which Assessors and Collectors shall to all intents and purposes observe the directions of this Act any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Mayors Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the respective Cities Counties Mannors and Jurisdictions have and shall have Power and Authority by virtue of this Act each of them by himself to administer an Oath to the said Assessors Well and truly equally impartially and in due Proportion as it shall appear to them according to their best Vnderstanding to assess and rate the Inhabitants Residents and Free-holders of the respective places for which they shall be chosen Assessors And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons who shall be chosen Assessors or Collectors shall deny neglect or unequally and partially assess or refuse to make such Assesment as by this Act is required or shall deny neglect or refuse to collect any sum or sums of Money in form before mentioned assessed that then and in such case it shall and may be lawfull for any two of their Majesties Justices of the Peace of the Cities and Counties where such Offendors shall happen to dwell or reside and who by virtue of this Act are required and impowered to do the same by Warrant under their Hands and Seals to commit such Assessors or Collectors so denying neglecting or unequally and partially assessing or refusing to collect as aforesaid to the common Goal there to remain without Bail or Mainprise till be or they shall make Fine or Ransom to their Majesties for such Contempt as aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons of what Degree or Quality soever he or they be within this Province who shall be assessed or rated any sum or sums of Money by virtue of this Act to be raised and-levied shall deny refuse or delay to pay and satisfie the same that then it shall and may be lawfull for any such Collector by virtue of a Warrant under the Hand of any of the Justices for the City and County where such Offendors shall dwell or reside who by virtue of this Act are required and authorized to grant and issue forth such Warrant to levy the same by distress and safe of such Person or Persons Goods and Chattels returning the Over-plus if any be to the Owners the sum assessed and Charges of Distress and Sale being first deducted And also be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Mayor Aldermanor Justice of the Peace within this Province who are hereby required impowered and authorized to take effectual care that this Act and every Clause therein beduely executed according to the true and genuine sence and intent thereof shall deny refuse neglect or delay to do perform fullfill and execute all or every or any of the Duties Powers and Authorities by this Act required and impowered by him or them to be done performed fullfilled and executed and shall thereof be lawfully convicted before any of their Majesties Courts of Record within this Province he or they shall suffer such pain by Fine or Imprisonment as by the Discretion of the Justices of the said Courts shall be adjudged And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Action Bill Plaint or Information shall be brought moved or presented at any time hereafter against any Person or Persons for any matter cause or thing done or acted in pursuance or execution of this Act such Person or Persons so sued or prosecuted in any Court whatsoever shall and may plead the general Issue Not Guilty and give this Act and the special matter in Evidence and if the Plantiff or Prosecutor shall be non-suited or forbear further Prosecution or suffer Discontinuance or Verdict to pass against him the Defendant or Defendors shall have trible Costs for which they shall have like liberty as in case where Costs by Law are given to Defendants Provided alwayes That no Mayor Aldermen or Justices of the Peace shall be troubled sued prosecuted or molested for any omission offence or neglect by virtue of this Act but within the space of one year after such omission offence or neglect and not at any time thereafter any thing herein contained to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding Alwayes provided and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the several Collectors of each respective City and County as aforesaid shall have the liberty to pay the several and respective sums assessed as aforesaid at the day aforementioned in Silver Money or for want thereof in good sufficient and merchantable Provisions at the currant Market Price in Silver Money at New-York any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding An Act for the Regulating the Buildings Streets Lanes Wharffs Docks and Allyes of the City of New-York WHereas the City of New-York and Metropolis of this Province was chiefly erected by the Inhabitants thereof for the propagating and encouragement of Trade and Commerce and for the good benefit
the Proportions before expressed as to the said Mayor Aldermen and Justices shall seem meet and reasonable And forasmuch as there are several Mannors and Jurisdictions within the respective Counties aforesaid who neglect or do not elect annually or once every year Assessors or Collectors whereby the intent of this Act may be frustrated Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid said That if the respective Mannors Jurisdictions within the several Counties aforesaid shall refuse or neglect to elect Assessors and Collectors for assessing of their respective Mannors or Jurisdictions and for the collecting the same according to the intent and direction of this Act then and in such case the Justices of the Peace in the Counties where such Mannors or Jurisdictions are are hereby impowered and authorized to nominate and appoint Assessors and Collectors for such Mannors or Jurisdictions as shall neglect or refuse as aforesaid Which Assessors and Collectors shall to all intents and purposes observe the directions of this Act any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Mayors Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the respective Cities Counties Mannors and Jurisdictions have and shall have Power and Authority by virtue of this Act each of them by himself to administer an Oath to the said Assessors Well and truly equally impartially and in due Proportion as it shall appear to them according to their best Vnderstanding to assess and rate the Inhabitants Residents and Free-holders of the respestive places for which they shall be chosen Assessors And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons who shall be chosen Assessors or Collectors shall deny neglect or unequally and partially assess or refuse to make such Assesment as by this Act is required or shall deny neglect or refuse to collect any sum or sums of Money in form before mentioned assessed that then and in such case it shall and may be lawfull for any two of their Majesties Justices of the Peace of the Cities and Counties where such Offendors shall happen to dwell or reside and who by virtue of this Act are required and impowered to do the same by Warrant under their Hands and Seals to commit such Assessors or Collectors so denying neglecting or unequally and partially assessing or refusing to collect as aforesaid to the common Goal there to remain without Bail or Mainprise till be or they shall make Fine or Ransom to their Majesties for such Contempt as aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons of what Degree or Quality soever he or they be within this Province who shall be assessed or rated any sum or sums of Money by virtue of this Act to be raised and levied shall deny refuse or delay to pay and satisfie the same that then it shall and may be lawfull for any such Colleâ—tor by virtue of a Warrant under the Hand of any of the Justices for the City and County where such Offendors shall dwell or reside who by viâ—tue of this Act are required and authorized to grant and issue forth such Warrant to levy the same by distress and sale of such Person or Persons Goods and Chattels returning the Over-plus if any be to the Owners the sum assessed and Charges of Distress and Sale being first deducted And also be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Mayor Alderman or Justice of the Peace within this Province who are hereby required impowered and authorized to take effectual care that this Act and every Clause therein be duely executed according to the true and genuine sence and intent thereof shall deny refuse neglect or delay to do perform fullfill and execute all or every or any of the Duties Powers and Authorities by this Act required and impowered by him or them to be done performed fullfilled and executed and shall thereof be lawfully convicted before any of their Majesties Courts of Record within this Province he or they shall suffer such pain by Fine or Imprisonment as by the Discretion of the Justices of the said Courts shall be adjudged And whereas there hath been great neglect in the Justices of the Peace Collectors and Assessors who have delayed executing their respective Duties according to the true intent and meaning of the former Acts made in several Sessions of this present Assembly For the prevention of the like for the future Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any of the respective Cities and Counties aforesaid shall refusâ— neglect or delay to have their respective Quota or Proportion of Men at the City of New-York or at the City of Albany on or before the 20th day of May now next ensuing pursuant to the Warrant directed to them from the Commander in chief as aforesaid And also if any of the respective Cities and Counties aforesaid shall refuse delay or neglect to make payment of the several respective Sums or Proportions of Money by them respectively to be paid as aforesaid at the time and place above mentioned and appointed That then and for every day after the said day afore-mentioned and appointed for the payment thereof or untill the whole Sums and Proportions of each respective City and County shall be fully paid and satisfied such City and County or Counties that shall be defective therein shall each and every of them forfeit and pay for the intent aforesaid the farther Sum of five Pounds â—urrant Money aforesaid for each dayes default or neglect of having their quota of Men or Payment of their respective Proportions at the times appointed And for the enabling the Commander in chief to borrow Money or to agree for Provisions for the maintaining of the two Companies aforesaid that the purposes of this Act may be truly attended and executed Be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawful for any Person or Persons to advance lend to the Commander in chief c. upon the Credit of this Act any Sum or Sums of Money not exceeding the Sum of 700 l. and to have and receive for the forbearance of all such Money as shall be lent Interest not exceeding the Rate of Ten per Cent. per Annum And to the end that all Monyes and Provisions which shall be so lent unto the Commander in chief c. may be well and sufficiently secured out of the Moneys arising and payable by this Act with the Interest for the same not exceeding Ten per Cent. per Annum as aforesaid Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That their Mâ—jesties Collector and Receiver General for the time being shall seperate and keep apart all the Money arising by the Rates Proportions hereby granted as the same shall arise and be paid unto him by the Receivers or Collectors of the same or by any other Person whatsoever
sixty Pounds currant Money of this Province be laid assessed raised and levied upon all and every the Inhabitants Residents and Freeholders of and in this Province for the paying and maintaining of the said two hundred and twenty men and their proper Officers together with the incidental Charges that shall arise thereon for seven Kalendary Months as aforesaid and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever To be laid assessed raised levyed and paid to their Majesties Collector and Receiver General for the time being at their Majesties Custom-house in the City of New-York on the first day of April next ensuing which will be in the Year of our Lord 1693. according to the Rates and Proportions following that is to say For the City and County of New-York 780 l. for the paying and maintaining 60 men being their Quota and Proportion of the 220 men and Officers aforesaid For the County of Westchester 325 l. for the paying and maintaining 25 men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For the County of Richmond 130 l. for the paying and maintaining of ten men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For the County of Suffolk 585 l. for the paying and maintaining 45 men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For Kings County 442 l. for the paying and maintaining 44 men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For Queens County 572 l. for the paying maintaining 34 men being their quota and proportion aforesaid For the County of Orange 26 l. for the paying and maintaining two men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That for the better assessing raising paying the sum of two thousand eight hundred and sixty Pounds aforesaid The Mayor and Aldermen in the City of New-York for the time being and the Justices of the Peace for the time being for the several and respective Counties aforesaid for the several Counties respectively for the which they shall be Justices of the Peace do within forty dayes after the publication hereof assemble and meet together in the Court Houses for the several respective Cityes and Counties or such other place or places as they shall agree upon among themselves and shall there order that the Assessors and Collectors for the several respective Citys Towns Mannors or Liberties within their several Jurisdictions for the assessing collecting and receiving of the publick Rates for the defraying the publick and necessary Charges of each respective City and County aforesaid be the Assessors and Collectors for the assessing collecting or receiving the sum or sums of Money herein before mentioned according to the Proportions before expressed as to the said Mayor Aldermen and Justices shall seem meet and reasonable And forasmuch as there are several Mannors and Jurisdictions within the respective Counties aforesaid who neglect or do not elect annually or once every year Assessors or Collectors whereby the intent of this Act may be frustrated Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if the respective Mannors Jurisdictions within the several Counties aforesaid shall refuse or neglect to elect Assessors and Collectors for assessing of their respective Mannors or Jurisdictions and for the collecting the same according to the intent and direction of this Act then and in such case the Justices of the Peace in the Counties where such Mannors or Jurisdictions are are hereby impowered and authorized to nominate and appoint Assessors and Collectors for such Mannors or Jurisdictions as shall neglect or refuse as aforesaid Which Assessors and Collectors shall to all intents and purposes observe the directions of this Act any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding And be it furher Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Mayors Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the respective Cities Counties Mannors and Jurisdictions have and shall have Power and Authority by virtue of this Act each of them by himself to administer an Oath to the said Assessors Well and truly equally impartially and in due Proportion as it shall appear to them according to their best Vnderstanding to assess and rate the Inhabitants Rendents and Free-holders of the respective places for which they shall be chosen Assessors And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons who shall be chosen Assessors or Collectors shall deny neglect or unequally and partially assess or refuse to make such Assesment as by this Act is required or shall deny neglect or refuse to collect any sum or sums of Money in form before mentioned assessed that then and in such case it shall and may be lawfull for any two of their Majesties Justices of the Peace of the Cities and Counties where such Offendors shall happen to dwell or reside and who by virtue of this Act are required and impowered to do the same by Warrant under their Hands and Seals to commit such Assessors or Collectors so denying neglecting or unequally and partially assessing or refusing to collect as aforesaid to the common Goal there to remain without Bail or Mainprise till he or they shall make Fine or Ransom to their Majesties for such Contempt as aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons of what Degree or Quality soever he or they be within this Province who shall be assessed or rated any sum or sums of Money by virtue of this Act to be raised and levied shall deny refuse or delay to pay and satisfie the same that then it shall and may be lawfull for any such Collector by virtue of a Warrant under the Hand Seal of any of the Justices for the City and County where such Offendors shall dwell or reside who by virtue of this Act are required and authorized to grant and issue forth such Warrant to levy the same by distress and sale of such Person or Persons Goods and Chattels returning the Over-plus if any be to the Owners the sum assessed and Charges of Distress and Sale being first deducted And also be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Mayor Alderman or Justice of the Peace within this Province who are hereby required impowered and authorized to take effectual care that this Act and every Article and Clause therein be duely executed according to the true intent thereof shall deny refuse neglect or delay to do perform fullfill and execute all or every or any of the Duties Powers and Authorities by this Act required and impowered by him or them to be done performed fullfilled and executed and shall thereof be convicted before his Excellency the Captain General and Council or before any of their Majesties Courts of Record within this Province he or they shall suffer such pain by Fine or Imprisonment as by the Discretion of the said Governour and Captain General and Council and the Justices of the said Courts shall be adjudged And be
shall be Justices of the Peace do within six Months after Publication hereof assemble and meet together in the Court Houses for the several respective Cities and Counties or such other place or places as they shall agree among themselves and shall there order That the Assessors and Collectors for the several and respective Cities Towns Mannours and Liberties within their several Jurisdictions for the assessing collecting and receiving of the Publick Rates for the defraying of the Publick and Necessary Charge of each respective City and County aforesaid be the Assessors and Collectors for the assessing collecting and receiving the Rate of â—ne Penny per Pound as aforesaid as to the said Mayors and Aldermâ—n and Justices of the Peace shall seâ—m meet and reasonable And forasmuch as there are several Mannors and Jurisdictions within the respective Counties aforesaid who neglect and do not elect annually or once every year Assessors and Collectors whereby the intent of this Act may be frustrated Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if the respective Mannours and Jurisdictions within the several Counties aforesaid shall refuse or neglect to elect Assessors and Collectors for the assessing their respective Mannours and Jurisdictions and for the Collecting the same according to the intent and direction of this Act Then and in such case the Justices of the Peace of the County where such Mannours or Jurisdictions are Are hereby impowered and authorized to nominate and appoint Assessors and Collectors for such Mannors and Jurisdictions as shall neglect and refuse as aforesaid which Assessors and Collectors shall to all intents and purposes observe the directions of this Act any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Mayors Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the respective Cities and Counties Mannors and Jurisdictions have and shall have Power and Authority by Virtue of this Act each of them by himself to administer an Oath to the said Assessors Well Truly Equally and Impartially in due Proportion as it shall appear to them according to their best Vnderstanding to assess and rate the Inhabitants Residents and Free-holders of the respective places for which they shall be chosen Assessors And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons who shall be chosen Assessors and Collectors shall deny neglect or unequally or partially assess or refuse to make such Assesment as by this Act is required or shall deny neglect or refuse to collect any Sum or Sums of Money in form afore-mentioned assest that then and in such case it shall and may be lawful for any two Justices of the Peace of the Cities and Counties where such Offenders shall happen to dwell or reside who by virtue of this Act are required and impowered to do the same by Warrant under their Hands and Seals to commit such Assessor or Assessors Collector or Collectors so denying neglecting or unequally and partially assessing or refusing to collect as aforesaid to the common Goal there to remain without Bayl or Mainprize till he or they make Fine and Ransom to their Majesties as aforesaid And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons of what degree or Quality soever he or they be within this Province who shall be assessed or rated any sum or sums of Money by virtue of this Act to be raised and levyed shall deny refuse or delay to pay and ratify the same that then it shall and may be lawful for any such Collector by Virtue of a Warrant under the Hand and Seal of any Justice of the Peace for the City or County where such Offender shall dwell or reside who by Virtue of this Act are Required and Authorized to grant and issue forth such Warrant to levy the same by Distress and Sale of such Person or Persons Goods and Chattles returning the Over-plus if any be to the Oâ—ners the Sum assessed and Charges of Distress and Sale being first deducted And also be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Mayor Alderman or Justice of the Peace within this Province who are hereby Required Impowered and â—uthoâ—ized to take effectual care that this Act and every Article and Clause therein be duely executed according to the true intent and meaning thereof shall deny neglect refuse or delay to do perform fullfill and execute all and every or any the Duties Powers and Authorities by this Act required and impowered by him or them to be done performed fullfilled or executed and shall thereof be convicted before his Excellency the Governour and Captain General and Council or before any of their Majesties Courts of Record within this Province he or they shall suffer such pain by Fine and Imprisonment as by the direction of the said Governor and Captain General and Council and the Justices of the said Courts shall be adjudged And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Action Bill Plaint or Information shall be brought moved or presented at any time hereafter against any Person or Persons for any Matter Clause or Thing done or acted in pursuance or execution of this Act such Person or Persons so Sued or prosecuted in any Court whatsoever shall and may plead the general Issue Not Guilty and give this Act and the special Matter in Evidence and if the Plantiff or Prosecutor shall be Non-suitâ—d or forbear further Prosecution oâ— suâ—fer Dâ—scontinuance or Virdicâ— to pass against him the Dâ—fendant and Defendants shall recover Tâ—ibble Costs for which they shâ—â—l have the like Remedy as in case where Costs by the Law are given to Defendants Provided alwayes That no Mayor Alderman or Justice of the Peace shall be troubled sued or molested for any Omission Offence or Neglect by Virtue of this Act but within the space of one Year after such Omission Offence or Neglect and not any time hereafter any thing contained herein to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding Always Provided and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the several Collectors of each respective City and County as aforesaid shall have liberty to pay the several respective Sums assessed as aforesaid at the Time and Days aforesaid in Currant Money at New-York or for want thereof in good sufficient and merchantable Provisions at the currant Market Price FINIS Anno Regni Gulielmi Mariae REGIS REGINAE Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae QUINTO The 10th of April Anno Domini 1693. An Act for raising six Thousand Pound for the payment of three Hundred Volunteers and their Officers to be imployed in the Re-inforcement of the Frontiers of this Prâ—vâ—nce at Albany from the first of May next to the first of May then next following in the Year of our Lord 1694. WHereas upon the first day of May next the time doth expire wherein the Forces lately raised for the
defence of the Frontiers at Albany were to abide which continuing still daily exposed to the Attempts of the French their Majesties declared Enemies it is of absolute necessity that they should from the said time be well Re-inforced not only for the Preservation of this Province but also for the Security and Defence of all their Majesties Subjects in the adjacent Colonies And to the end that the said purposes may be well and truly effected the Representatives convened in General Assembly do pray that his Excellency would levy or cause to be levyed in this and the adjacent Collonies three hundred effectual Men Volunteers to be formed in four Companies of Souldiers and imployed in their Majesties service for the security and defence of the Frontiers of this Province at Albany and there to continue during the time hereafter mentioned and expressed That is to say That his Excellency doth forth-with upon publication hereof raise or cause to be raised as aforesaid two hundred effectual men Volunteers which are to be formed into four Companies of Souldiers as aforesaid and imployed at Albany for their Majesties Service as aforesaid and there to continue in the said Service from the first day of May next until the first day of May then next following that shall be in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety and Four And also That his Excellency shall likewise raise One Hundred effective Men Volunteers more which shall likewise bearded to the four Companies aforesaid in equal Proportion and posted at Albany as aforesaid and there only to continue and remain from the first day of November next ensuing until the fifteenth day of March then following and no longer And that his Excellency may be the better enabled to make such Levys as aforesaid the Representatives convened in general Assembly do pray that it may be Enacted And be it therefore Enacted by the Governour and Council and Representatives convened in general Assembly and by the Authority of the same That a Levy of Six Thousand Pounds currant Money of this Province be laid assessed raised and levyed upon all and every of the Inhabitants Residents and Free holders of and in this Province c. for the paying and maintaining of the said three hundred Volunteers and their Officers together with the incidental Charges that shall arise thereon according to the Establishment hereunto annexed and not otherwise and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever To be laid assessed raised and levyed in each respective City and County throughout the Province according to the Rates Quota's and Proportions hereafter following that is to say For the City and County of New-York One Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty Pounds being their Quota and Proportion of the Levy of Six Thousand Pounds aforesaid For the County of Suffolk in the Island of Nassaw Twelve Hundred Pounds being their Quota and Proportion as aforesaid For Queens County in the Island of Nassaw One Thousand Pounds being their Quota and Proportion as aforesaid For Kings County in the said Island of Nassaw Nine Hundred Pounds being their Quota and Proportion as aforesaid For the County of Westchêster Five Hundred and Sixty Pounds being their Quota and Proportion as aforesaid For the County of Vlster and Dutches County Six Hundred Thirty Pounds being their Quota and Proportion as aforesaid For the County of Richmond Two Hundred and Thirty Pounds being their Quota and Proportion as aforesaid And for the County of Orange Thirty Pounds being their Quota and Proportion as aforesaid All which Quota's and Proportions as aforesaid doth in the whole amount unto the Sum of Six Thousand Pounds currant Money aforesaid which said Sum of Six Thousand Pound shall well and truely be paid by the respective Collectors of each respective City and County aforesaid unto their Majesties Collector and Receiver General for the time being at their Majesties Custom House in the City of New-York in two equal Payments that is to say Three Thousand Pounds currant Money as aforesaid being the one moiety or equal half part of the said Thousand Pounds at or before the nine and twentieth day of September next being the Feast Day of St. Michael the Arch-Angel And the other three Thousand Pounds currant Money aforesaid being the other moiety or equal half part of the Levy aforesaid at or before the twenty fifth day of March then next following being the Feast day of the Anunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary which shall be in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety and Four under the pains and penalties herein after mentioned And that the said Sum of Six Thousand Pounds according to the Quota's and Proportions aforesaid may be most truely and effectually assessed raised collected and paid unto their Majesties Receiver General in manner aforesaid and for the intent and purposes aforesaid Be it further Enacted and it is hereby further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Mayor and Aldermen within this City of New-York for the time being and the Justices of the Peace for the time being for the several and respective Counties aforesaid for the several Counties respectively for the which they shall be Justices of the Peace do within forty days after Publication hereof assemble and meet together in the Court Houses for the several respective Cities and Counties or such other place or places as they shall agree upon amongst themselves and shall there order that Assessors and Collectors for the several and respective Cities Towns Mannors and Liberties within their several Jurisdictions for the assessing collecting and receiving of the publick Rates for the defraying the publick and necessary Charges of each respective City and County aforesaid be the Assessors and Collectors for the assessing collecting and receiving the sum or sums of Money herein before-mentioned according to the proportions before expressed as to the said Mayor and Alder-men and Justices shall seem meet and reasonable And forasmuch as there are several Mannors and Jurisdictions within the respective Counties aforesaid who neglect and do not elect annually or once every Year Assessors and Collectors whereby the intent of this Act may be frustrated Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if the respective Mannors and Jurisdictions within the several Counties aforesaid shall refuse or neglect to elect Assessors Collectors for the assessing of their respective Mannors and Jurisdictions and for the collecting the same according to the intent and direction of this Act then and in such case the Justices of the Peace of the Counties where such Mannors or Jurisdictions are are hereby impowered and authorized to nominate and appoint Assessors and Collectors for such Mannors and Jurisdictions as shall neglect or refuse as aforesaid which Assessors and Collectors shall to all intents and purposes observe the directions of this Act any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the
any Town or County within this Province are hereby fully impowered and authorized to have Cognizance of all Causes Cases of Debts and Trespass to the value of Forty Shillings or under which Causes and Cases shall he heard tryed and finally determined without a Jury by every Justice of the Peace that resides within any Town or County within this Province he taking to his Assistance at the time of his hearing and determining such Cause or Cases of Debt and Trespass to the value of Forty Shillings and under one of the Free-holders of the Town and place where the cause of Action doth arise The Process of warning shall be by a summons under the Hand of the Justice directed to the Constable of the Town or Precinct or any deputed by him where the Party complained against doth live Which Summons being Personally served or left at the Defendants House two days before the Day of Hearing of the Plaint shall be sufficient Authority to and for a said Justice assisted with one of the Free-holders as aforesaid to proceed on such Cause and Causes and determine the same in the Defendants absence and to grant Execution thereon against the Defendants Person or for want thereof his Estate which the Constable of the Town or Precincts or his Deputy shall and may serve Always provided and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if the Plantiff or Defendant shall desire a Jury it shall be allowed but at the proper Cost and Charges of the Person desiring the same And for the Increase of Virtue and Discouraging of Evil-doers throughout this Province Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there shall be held and kept in every respective City and County within this Province at the Times and Places hereafter named and expressed a Court of Sessions of the Peace that is to say For the City and County of New-York at the City Hall of the said City four times every Year viz. The first Tuesday in May the first Tuesday in August the first Tuesday in November and the first Tuesday in February For the City and County of Albany at the City Hall of the said City the first Tuesday in June the first Tuesday in October and the first Tuesday in February For Westchester at Westobester the first Tuesday in June and the first Tuesday in December For Vlster at Kingston the first Tuesday in September and the first Tuesday in March For the County of Richmond at the Court-House the first Tuesday in September and the first Tuesday in March For Kings County at Flatbush alias Midwout the second Tuesday in May and the second Tuesday in November For Queens County at Jamaica the third Tuesday in May and the third Tuesday in September For Suffolk County at Southold the last Tuesday in September And the last Tuesday in March at Southampton Orange County to be annixed to the County of New-York and Dutches County to the County of Vlster Which Sessions of the Peace shall only hold and continue for the space and time of two Dayes and no longer And for the more regular and beneficial Distribution of Justice to the Inhabitants of each respective City and County within this Province Be it further Enacted by the Authority a foresaid That there be kept and held a Court of Common Pleas in each respective City and County within this Province at the Times and Places hereafter named and expressed That is to say At such places in each respective County as the said Court of Sessions are to be kept and to begin the next day after the Sessions terminates and only to hold and continue for the space and time of two days and no longer And that there be one Judge with three Justice in each County Appointed and Commissionated to hold the same Court of Pleas Three whereof to be a Quorum And that the several and respective Courts hereby established shall have Jurisdiction to Hear Try and finally to Determine all Actions or cause of Actions and all Matters and Things and Causes Tryable at the Common Law of what Nature or Kind soever Provided alwayes and it is hereby enacted That there shall not be any Appeal or Removal by Habeas Corpus of any Person or of any Action or Suit or of any Judgment or Execution that shall be determined in this Court to the value of Twenty Pounds or under any thing contained herein to the contrary in any ways notwithstanding Provided alwayes and it is hereby Enacted That the Courts of Mayor and Aldermen of the respective Cities of New York and Albany shall have in each of their respective Cities the Power and Authority to Hear Try and finally to Determine all such Actions and Suits as is commonly cognizable before them from which final Determination there shall not be any Appeal or Removal by Habeas Corpus of any Person or of any Action or Suit or of any Judgment or Execution to the value of Twenty Pounds or under any thing contained herein to the contrary in any ways notwithstanding To which respective Court of Common Pleas there shall belong and be appointed and commissionated for that purpose one Clark of the Court to draw enter and keep the Records Declarations Pleas and Judgments there to be had and made And one Marshal or Cryer of the Court to call the Jurors and proclaim the Commands and Orders of the Court. And for the more regular Proceedings in the said Court all Processes and Writs of what Nature soever for the Command of Persons to appear and to execute the Judgments and Executions of the respective Courts aforesaid shall be directed to the respective Sheriffs of each City and County within this Province and executed by them their Under-Sheriffs or Deputy or Deputies And all Processes and Writs for Actions betwixt Party and Party in the said Court shall issue out of the Office of the Clark of the Court in each City and County respectively signed Per Curiam And that Their Majesties Subjects inhabiting within this Province may have all the good proper and just wayes and means for the securing and recovering their just Rights and Demands within the same Be it further Enacted and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained by Authority aforesaid That there shall be held and kept a Supream Court of Judicature which shall be duely and constantly kept at the City of New-York and not else-where at the several and respective Times hereafter mentioned And that there be five Justices at least appointed and commissionated to hold the same Court Two whereof together with one chief Justice to be a Quorum Which Supream Court is hereby fully Impowered and Authorized to have Cognizance of all Pleas Civil Criminal and Mixt as fully and amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever as the Courts of Kings Bench Common Pleas and Exchequer within Their Majesties Kingdom of England have or ought to have In and to which Supream Court all and every Person and Persons
and every of their former Rights Customs Prerogatives Priviledges Preheminencies Practises Immunities Liberties Franchises Royalties and Usages whatsoever in as full and ample manner as if none of these Changes Alterations Disturbances want of other Forms in the Law or the Non-feizance of any Rights Priviledges or Customs of any of the Corporations aforesaid had never happened or been neglected any thing herein contained or in any other Law to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Provided That nothing herein contained shall be construed or taken to bar any person or persons of his or their former and just Right or pretences to any House Tract or parcel of Land within this Province Alwayes provided That he or they that have any such just Right or Pretence do make his or their Claim within the space of five Years next after the date hereof And also provided That nothing herein contained shall be intended or construed to the prejudice or hindrance of the Title or Claim of any Person under Age Feme Covert Non Compos Mentis Imprisonment or beyond the Sea An Act for the enabling each respective Town within this Province to Regulate their Fences and High-ways and make prudential Orders for their Peace and orderly Improvements WHereas the respective Towns within this Province c. are so circumstanced as to have different and distruct wayes in their Improvements of Tillage and Pasturage and that it is altogether necessary that they may be qualified and made capable in the Law to make such prudential Rules and Orders for the better Improvement of their respective Towns and the Regulating their Fences and High-wayes accordingly Be it therefore Enacted by the Governour and Council and the Râ—presentatives met in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That the Free-holders of every respective Town with this Province are hereby Impowered and Authorized to meet and assemble themselves together at such times and places as are appointed and expressed in their respective Grants and Patents and when so assembled to make establish constitute and ordain from time to time such prudential Orders and Rules for the better improving of their respective Lands in Tillage Pasturage or in any other reasonable way as shall by the Majority of the Free-holders so assembled or convened as aforesaid be thought good and convenient And also when the Free-holders of each respective Town within this Province c. are assembled as aforesaid they are hereby further authorized and impowered to make chose and nominate in each of their respective-Towns annually and once every Year Three Persons to be Surveyors and Orderers of the Work for the laying out and the Amendment of the High-wayes and Fences within the Bounds and Limits of their respective Towns within this Province Which Persons so Nominated and chosen shall take upon them the said Office and are hereby impowered to lay out set forth regulate and amend all such High-wayes and Fences as shall be established in such manner form and way as shall be agreed upon and directed by the Majority of the Free-holders of each respective Towns as aforesaid Alwayes provided That such Orders as are made constituted and ordained shall be kept and Registered in the Town 's Books for that purpose and consented to and approved by the next Court of Sessions of the Peace in the Counties where the respective Towns are otherwise to be of no Force nor Virtue whatsoever An Act for Defraying of the Publick and Necessary Charge throughout this Province and for maintaining the Poor and preventing Vagabonds FOrasmuch as it is necessary that each respective County within this Province should have Power to establish a Rate for the Defraying of their respective and publick Charge Be it therefore Enacted by the Governour and Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That there be elected and chosen annually and once every Year in each respective Town within this Province Two Free-holders who are hereby impowered to assess and establish a certain Rate upon each of the Free-holders and Inhabitants within their Respective Towns which Assesment or certain Rate shall upon a certain day as the Inhabitants of the respective Towns shall appoint be delivered to a certain Free-holder which shall be likewise chosen in each respective Town aforesaid to supervise and examine the publick and necessary Charge of each respective County Which Person so duely chosen shall elect and constitute a certain Treasurer for each respective County which Treasurer shall make such payments for the defraying of all the publick and necessary Charges of each respective County as shall be appointed and ordered by the Persons so chosen for the supervising the publick Charges of each respective County And be it further provided by the Authority aforesaid That any such Assesment or Rate made ordained or appointed by the Persons so chosen shall be collected and gathered by the Constable or any other Person chosen or appointed thereunto as also if any person or persons shall refuse to pay the said Assesment or Rate that it may be lawful for them that are chosen as aforesaid and they are hereby Authorized to issue out their Warrants to the Constable under their Hands and Seals or any other Persons appointed by them to collect and levy the same by Distress on their Goods and Chattels And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Treasurer of each respective County within this Province shall keep a distinct Book of Accompts containing a particular Accompt of all the Money Rates and Assesments aforesaid and also of all Disbursments and Payments by warrant aforesaid and once every Year he shall bring in his Accompts to such persons as shall be appointed for the audit of the same under the Penalty of one Hundred Pounds except prevented by Death or Sickness And further whereas it is the Custom and Practice of their Majesties Realm of England and all the adjacent Collonies in America That every respective Town and Parish doth take care and provide for the Poor who do inhabit in their respective Precincts as aforesaid Therefore it is Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That for the time to come the respective Free-holders elected and chosen as aforesaid in every Town Parish and Precinct shall make provision for the maintenance and support of their Poor respectively And for the Prevention and Discouragement of Vagabonds and Idle Persons to come into this Province from other parts and also from one part of the Province to another Be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Persons that shall come to inhabit within this Province or any part or place thereof and hath not a visible Estate or hath not a manual Occupation shall before he be admitted an Inhabitant give sufficient Surety That he shall not be a burden or Charge to the respective place he shall come to inhabit Which Security shall continue for two Years Provided alwayes That all those that have manual
of the Mayor of the respective Cities for the time being and by Warrant of any two Justices of the Peace to the Treasurer of the respective Counties within ten dayes after the Return of the said Representatives from the Assembly An Act to Enable the City and County of Albany to defray their necessary Charge FOrasmuch as the Inhabitants of the City and County of Albany have been during the time of the late Disorders very much agrieved wasted destroyed and impoverished by the Incursions of the French their Majesties declared Enemies and that it is absolutely necessary that some suitable and convenient way should be found out for their Relief and more easie defraying of the necessary Charge of that City and County Be it therefore Enacted by the Governor and Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same That the Imposition or Rate of Two per Cent. shall be raised and levied upon all Indian Goods that are brought up to that City and County of Albany and there sold or consumed And also That the Impost of Three Pence be raised and levied upon each Gallon of Rum that is sold and consumed within that City and County And for the due and orderly collecting of the said respective Imposts and Rates the Treasurer of the said City for the time being or any appointed by him and the Mayor of the said City under the publick Seal of the said City are hereby impowered and authorized to appoint constitute and establish a Collector or Receiver of the Rates and Imposts aforesaid who shall have Power to receive the same and to enter in a fair Book kept for that purpose all such Sum and Sums of Money as shall be so entered and received for the respective Duties aforesaid the said Collector or Receiver appointing certain convenient Times and Places for the keeping of the Office as shall be directed by the Court of Mayor and Aldermen and Assistance of the said City And all Persons that Trade and bring up to the said City and County the afore-mentioned Indian Goods and Rum are hereby required to make a Report of the Quantity and Value of such Goods and Rum they so bring up and sell in the City and County aforesaid and pay the Duties and Imposts hereby established without being at any further Charge than the said Duty And in Default hereof it shall be lawful for the Mayor Treasurer or any other Officer hereby Authorized to issue out his or their Warrant under his or their Hand and Seal for the seizing of all such Goods and Rum as shall be imbezeled and not pay the Duties aforesaid One Third to the Imformer One Third to the said City and County of Albany and One Third to his Excellency the Governour or Commander in Chief for the time being Provided That all the Sum and Sums of Money that are hereby received shall be only appropriated and applyed to the defraying of the necessary Charges of the City and County aforesaid And that the Treasurer Collector or Receiver for the time being shall not pay any of the Money received as aforesaid but by Warrant from the Mayor of the said City and approved by the Court of Aldermen and Assistants Provided That this Act shall only remain in force for the space of three Yearr and no longer any thing contained herein to the contrary in any ways notwithstanding An Act for Establishing a Revenue for the defraying the Publick Charges of the Province FOr the better defraying of the publick and necessary Charges and Expences of this Province which cannot otherwise be effected without great Charge unto Their Majesties Be it Enacted by the Governour Council and Representatives now met in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That the Duties Customs and Excise hereafter specified be given and granted unto their said Majesties to the intent aforesaid That is to say For every Gallon of Run Brandy and Distilled Liquors that shall be imported into this Province and Dependencies the Sum of four Pence currant Money of this Province And for every Pipe of Madera Wine Fyall St. Georges Candry Mallegâ— Sherry and all sweet Wines the Sum of Forty Shillings currant Money aforesaid And for every Hoâ—shead of White Red and Rhâ—nish Wine the Sum of Twenty Shillings currant Money aforesaid And upon all other Merchandize imported into this Province and Dependencies the Sâ—m of Forty Shillings currant Money aforesaid for every Hundred Pound value at the prime Cost accept these hereafter specified viz. Salt Brink Paâ—tills Coals Fish Sâ—gar Mâ—lâ—ssâ—s Cotton-Wool Ginger Logword Brazelletto Fustick or any other sort of Dâ—ing Wood Goâ—ooâ— Hydes Tobâ—â—co Bullion and Platâ— Pâ—rk Oyâ— Tar Flax â—oap Candles Cheese Bâ—tter Bâ—ef Fish Whâ—le-Bone Hopps Apples Pears Sâ—der Fire-wood Planks Boards Peltry Beaver Sheeps Wool Onions Dressed and Undressed Deeâ—-Skins Tâ—llâ—â— Hâ—des Salt Honey Bees-Wax Hey-Wax Indian Corn Wheat Bâ—rley Rye Perâ—e or any other sort of Grain or any other thing of the Growth and Production of our Neighbouring Collonies and Planation in Aâ—â—ries And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there be also given and granted unto their said Mâ—eâ—ties for the intent aforesaid upon all Merchandize commonly called by the Name of lâ—dâ—â—â— Gaâ—dâ— or Duâ—â—â—s Stroads Blankers Plains half Thicks Woolen â—â—ookings White Oâ—enburgs Kettles Hatchers Hoes Knives Red Lead Vâ—â—miâ—ion Cotton Rod Kersies Indian Haberdashery and other Indian Goods the Sum of Ten Pounds currant Money aforesaid for every Hâ—â—dred Pounds Value prime cost that shall be carried up Hâ—dsâ—ns River in any Vessel Sloop Boat or Canow or any other way And that the 〈…〉 priâ—â— Cost shall be at the Rate hereafter mentioned 〈…〉 all Kettâ—â— that shall contain above eight Gallons shall 〈…〉 of thâ— Duty viz. 〈◊〉 Duffils to be valued at Two Shillings and Four Pence the Yard 〈◊〉 Sâ—road half a piece Four Pound A whole piece Eight 〈◊〉 Indian Blankets each piece four Pounds Indian plain Cotton per Yard one Shilling and six Pence Indian half thick'd per Yard one Shilling and ten Pence Indian White Ozenburgs the English Ell eight Pence Indian Kettles each hundred weight six Pounds Indian Hatâ—hets the dozen twelve Shillings Indian Hoes the dozen twelve Shillings Red Lead each Hundred weight twenty Shillings Vermillion per Pound four Shillings Cotton per Yard one Shilling and four Pence Red Kersey per Yard two Shillings and six Pence Knives per dozen three Shillings Indian Shirts per dozen twenty Shillings Indian Drawing Knives Looking-Glasses Indian Wooden Combs Indian Beeds Tobacco in Rolls Indian Bells Scissars Jews Harps Indian Points Drills Tobacco Pipes little painted Boxes Auls Sword Blades Copper Tobacco Boxes Tinsey Lace Indian Gimp Lace Needles Tobacco Tonges Indian Powder Horns Indian Woolen Stockens and Indian Steels the sum of ten Pound currant Money aforesaid for every hundred Pounds Value prime Cost that shall be carried up as aforesaid And for every Barrel of Powder
shall forever be barred their Claim And upon any future Peosecution the Defendants may plead the general Issue and give this Act and the special matter in Evidence and if the Plantiff shall become Non-suit or forbear further Prosecution or suffer Discontinuance or if Verdict pass against him the said Defendant shall recover his double Costs for which he shall have the like remedy as in case where Costs by Law are given to Defendants And all Person or Persons that are out of the Province at the Publication hereof and have been wronged or injured in manner aforesaid shall within one Year after the Publication hereof give in their Claim and Demand as aforesaid otherwise shall forever be barred their Claims and be under the Restriction of this Law to all intents and purposes as aforesaid Alwayes provided and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons that have offended in manner aforesaid and have been personally summoned or had a Summons left in Writing at their Habitations or usual places of their Abode and do not appear to make their Defence or show some lawful cause why they could not appear shall be deemed and esteemed as Defaulters and Sentence and Decree shall pass upon them on default accordingly and Executions issue thereupon as aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Commissioners hereafter named for the putting this Act in Execution shall be commissionated under the Seal of this Province And there is hereby nominated constituted and appointed for the Execution of this Act and the Clauses therein contained For the City and County of New-York Capt. Jacobus van Courtland Peter Jacobus Marius Lawrance Read Thomas Coderington and Adolph Phillips Esqrs or any three of them whereof Jacob van Courtland is to be one For the City and County of Albany Peter Schuyler Martin Gerrets Albertus Rykman Henrick Ranster and Gerret Rereson Esqrs or any three of them whereof Peter Schuyler is to be one For the County of Vlster Thomas Garton Tyneljck William Lâ—â—â— William Haynes Wessel Tynbrook Esqrs or any three of them whereof Thomas Garton is to be one For the County of Richmond Elias Duxberry Dennis Tenison Andrew Cannon Abraham Lackman John Shadweell Esqrs or any thâ—â—e of them whereof Elias Duxberry is to be one For the County of Westchester John Palmer John Hunt John Drake Joseph Theal Johnathan Hart Esqrs or any three of them whereof John Palmer is to be one For Kings County Jaques Cortilew John Tennison Nicholas Stillwell Lucas Stevinson Joseph Hegmen Esqrs or any three of them whereof Jaques Cortilew to be one And for Queens County John Robinson Nathaniel Pierson James Clements William Hallet jun. Johnathan Smith Esqrs or any three of them whereof John Robinson is to be one Provided alwayes That in case of Death it shall be in the Power of the Commander in Chief and Council to nominate and appoint other Commissioners instead of the Commissioners deceased at their own discretion Which said Commissioners so as aforesaid nominated and appointed or in case of Death to be nominated and appointed shall in the respective Cities and Counties respectively meet together and perform the several Powers Authorities and Directions in and by this said Act given and appointed For the true and faithful Execution thereof they shall at the time they receive their Commission take this following Oath Viz. YOV shall Swear That you to your Cunning Wit and Power shall truly and indifferently execute the Powers and Authorities given you by this Commission and Act of Assembly without any Favour Affection Corruption Dread or Malice to be born to any manner of Person or Persons And as the case shall require ye shall consent and endeavour your self for your part to the best of your knowledge to the assessing and taxing the Damage of such Claims and Suits that shall be brought before you according to Truth Equity and the Evidence given you and in such due and equal Proportions as in good Conscience shall seem meet unto you and the same Powers and Authorities to your Cunning Wit and Power cause to be put in due Execution without Favour Dread Malice or Affection So help you God Alwayes provided and be it hereby further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That in case of Error any Person or Persons shall have Liberty to make his or their Appeal unto the Governour and Council Provided the Value appealed for exceed the sum of one hundred Pounds and that Security be first given by the Appellant to answer such Charges as shall be awarded in case the first Sentence or Decree be affirmed And in regard some Persons have commenced and prosecuted and threaten to commence and prosecute Actions and Suits against such of their Majesties Subjects for and by reason of their acting and doing as aforesaid Therefore for the preventing the Trouble and Charges which the said Subjects might he put to by means of such Suits Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Personal Actions Suits Molestations Prosecutions whatsoever and Judgments and Executions had thereupon if any be for or by reason of any of the Premises are and be hereby discharged and made void And if any Action or Suit declared or intended to be discharged shall be commenced or prosecuted in any other Court or after any other manner than what is declared and appointed by this Act then every Person so sued may plead the general Issue and give this Act and the special matter in Evindence And if the Plantiff shall become Non-suit or forbear further Prosecution or suffer Discontinuance or if a Verdict pass against him the said Defendant shall recover his double Costs for which he shall have the like Renledy as in case where Costs by Law are given to Defendants And since it is the general Peace of this Government and the good ease and benefit of all their Majesties Subjects inhabiting within the same that is only intended by this Act Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Judges and Justices of their Majesties Courts of Records and all Mayors and Aldermen of the respective Cities and all Sheriffs Clarks and other Officers within this Province do take notice of the said Act and see the same truly executed according to the Powers Authorities and Clauses therein contained any thing contained herein or in any other Law to the contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding And that all their Majestes Subjects concerned in the Premises and who for these causes have absented themselves from the usual places of their Abode or have with-drawn themselves out of this Province may have all their causless fears removed and fully enjoy all the Benefits Priviledges and Advantages intended them by this Act Be it therefore further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and every of such Persons concerned in the Premises as aforesaid do within forty days after the Publication hereof return and repair to their
respective Habitations or places of their Abode within this Province and there use exercise and follow their respective Occupations as accustomed where they shall remain without any other let or molestation than what is required by this Act and freely possess and enjoy all their Benefits and Protections of their Majesties Laws of England and this Province Alwayes provided and be iâ— further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons concerned in the Premises as aforesaid shall neglect to return or repair to their respective Habitations or places of their Abode in this Province within the time 〈◊〉 and exproâ—â—ed except all such as shall be at the Publich 〈…〉 beyond the Seas Then and in such case such Person o◠〈…〉 deemed and esteemed Contemners of their Majesties Authority and Government over this Province and loose all the Benefits and Advantages intended them by this Act and all and every of their respective Estates both Real and Personal shall be liable and extended to make Satisfaction to all such Suits or Demands as shall be made in due Form of the Law against them any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding An Act to divide this Province and Dependencies into Shires and Counties FOrasmuch as Mistakes may arise about the Limits and Bounds of the respective Counties within this Province for Prevention whereof Be it Enacted by the Commander in Chief and Council and Representatives and by the Authority of the same That the said Province be divided into twelve Counties as followeth The City and County of New-York to contain all the Island commonly called Manhattans Island Manmings Island the two Barran Islands and the three Oyster Islands Manhattans Island to be called the City of New-York and the rest of the Islands the County The County of Westchester to contain East and Westchester â—rouxes Land Fordham Mannor of Pellham Minfords Islând Richbills Neck and all the Land on the Main to the Eastward of Manhattans Island as far as the Government at present extends and the Yonkers Land And Northwards along Hudsons River as far as the High-Land The County of Vlster to contain the Towns of Kingstone Hurley and Marble Town Foxhall and the New Pellz and all Villages Neighbourhoods and Christian Habitations on the West side Hudson's Riven from the Murderers Creek near the High-Lands to the Sawyers Creek The County of Albany to contain the Mannor of Ransleerswick Schactady and all the Villages Neighbouhoods and Christian Plantations on the East side of Hudsons River from the Roel of Jansens Creek And on tho West side from the Swyers Creek to the utmost end of Sarraghtoga The Dutches County to be from the Bounds of the County of Westchester on the South side the High Lands along the East side of Hudsons River as far as Roel of Jansens Creek And Eastward into the Woods twenty Miles The County of Orange to begin from the Limits and Bounds of East and West Jarsey on the West side of Hudsons River along the said River to the Murderers Greek or Bounds of the County of Vlster And Westward into the Woods as far as Delaware River The County of Richmond to contain all Staten Island Shooters Island and the Islands of Meddow on the West side thereof Kings County to contain the several Towns of Bushwick Bedford Brookline Flatbush Flatlands Neuwtrucht and Graves-End with the several Settlements and Plantations adjacent Queens County to contain the several Towns of Newtown Jamaica Flushing Hemstead Oyster-Bay with Horse Neck and the several out-Farms Necks Settlements and Plantations adjacent and the Island called the Two Brothers and Hullets Island The County of Suffolk to contain the several Towns of Huntington Smithfield Brookhaven Southampton Southold Easthampton to Montauk Point Shelters Island Isle of Wight Fishers Island and Plumb Island with the several Out-Farms Settlements and Plantations adjacent Dukes County to contain the Island of Mantucket Martins Vineyard Elizabeth Island and No Mans Land The County of Cornwall to contain Pemy Quid and all the Territories in those parts with the Islands adjacent An Act for the raising and paying one Hundred and Fifty Men to be forthwith raised for the Defence and Re-inforcement of Albany for six Moneths WHereas the Fronteers of Albany are in eminent danger to be lost being daily threatened to be invaded by the French their Majesties declared Enemies And forasmuch as the safety of this and all their Majesties Neighbouring Plantations doth only depend on having that place well secured and for the eâ—â—ctual doing thereof Application hath been made unto the Neighbouring Plantations but hath had no effect and there being now â—anâ— absolute necessity for the Re-inforcing of the Fronteers of this Province in the County of Albany as well for the securing their Majesties neighbouring Plantations as for the preserving the Indians and this Province Be it therefore Enacted by the Commander in chief and Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That the Commander in chief do raise one hundred and fifty Men with their proper Officers for the Reinforcement of the Fronteers of this Province in the County of Albany aforesaid which shall remain in the said County for the Defence thereof six Moneths to commence on the first day of November next and to end the first day of May then following And for the paying and maintaining the said one hundred and fifty men and their proper Officers Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That a Levy of fifteen Hundred Pounds currant Money of this Province be laid assessed raised and levied upon all and every of the Inhabitants Residents and Freeholders of and in this Province for the paying and maintaining of the said one hundred and fifty men and their proper Officers for six Months as aforesaid and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever To be laid assessed raised levyed and paid to their Majesties Collector and Receiver General for the time being at their Majesties Custom-house in the City of New-York on the 25th day of March next ensuing which shall be in the Year of our Lord 1692. according to the Rates and Proportions following that is to say For the City and County of New-York Three Hundred Pounds For the City and County of Albany one hundred and thirty Pounds For the County of Westchester one hundred and five Pounds For the County of Richmond Ninety Pounds For the County of Vlster and Dutches County one hundred and eighty seven Pounds ten Shillings For the County of Suffolk two hundred and sixty two Pounds ten Shillings For Kings County one hundred ninety five Pounds For the County of Orange eleven pound five Shillings For Dukes County eighteen pound fifteen Shillings And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That for the better assessing raising paying the sum of one thousand five hundred Pounds aforesaid The Mayor and Aldermen in the City of New-York the Mayor and
third Sessions of the General Assembly begun in the City of New-York April 19. 1692. An Act for the raising two hundred Men with their proper Officers for the securing and re-inforcing of Albany in the Fronteers of this Province WHereas the Forces lately raised for the Re-inforcing and Securing the Fronteers at Albany are not to continue in that service any longer than the first of May next ensuing And forasmuch as it is still absolutely necessary for the safety of all their Majesties Neighbouring Collonies and Plantations as well for the security of this Province that there be and remain at that place sufficieut Force for the Defence thereof And whereas the present State Condition of this Province is such that they are not able at this time to make sufficient Provision of Men and Money for the re-inforcing of that place as is truly necessary for the maintaining such a considerable Post which is the only Bull-work of Defence for all their Majesties Neighbouring Collonies and Plantations in this main of America yet that the said place may not be deserted nor the Indians who have been so constant to us discouraged Be it therfore Enacted by the Commander in chief and Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That the Commander in chief do issue out his Warrants to the chief Military Officers in the respective Cities and Counties under-named for the raising of 200 men armed as the Law directs with their proper Officers in such Proportions hereafter mentioned to consist and make two distinct Companies of Fuzileers for the Reinforeement and Security of the Fronteers of this Province in the County of Albany aforesaid which shall continue and remain in the said County of Albany for the Defence and Security thereof for the term and space of five Moneths to commence on the first day of May next and to end and terminate on the first day of October then following And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons who in pursuance of such Warrant or Warrants to be by the Commander in chief issued out to the chief Military Officer of each respective City and County or Counties as aforesaid shall be warned to appear in Arms in order to the raising the 200 men aforesaid shall neglect delay or refuse to appear or otherwise absent him or themselves shall forfeit the sum of five Pounds currant Money to be levied by Distress by Warrant under the Hand and Seal of any Justice of the Peace within this Province on the Goods and Chattels of every such Person or Persons so offending as aforsaid upon a Certificate of such Default from the Captain or chief Officer of such Company in or to which the said Offender shall be listed or belong under his Hand Seal which said sum of 5 l. shall be imployed for the encouragement and raising the Quota of men by this Act in each respective City County or Counties to be raised as aforesaid And in case such Person or Persons so offending as aforesaid shall not have Goods and Chattels to be found to pay and satisfie the sum of five Pounds aforesaid such Person or Persons upon such Certificate and by such Warrant as aforesaid shall becommited to the common Goal of the same City or County or Counties there to remain without Bail or Mainprize for the space or term of five Moneths or untill he or they shall satisfie the sum of five Pounds aforesaid And for the paying and maintaining the said two hundred men and their proper Officers Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That a Levy of fifteen Hundred Pounds currant Money of this Province be laid assessed raised and levied upon all and every the Inhabitants Residents and Freeholders of and in this Province for the paying and maintaining of the said two hundred men and their proper Officers for five Months as aforesaid and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever To be laid assessed raised levyed and paid to their Majesties Collector and Receiver General for the time being at their Majesties Custom-house in the City of New-York on the first day of September next ensuing which shall be in the Year of our Lord 1692. according to the Rates and Proportions following that is to say For the City and County of New-York 345 l. for the paying and maintaining 46 men being their Quota and Proportion of the 200 men aforesaid For the County of Westchester 127 l. 10 s. for the paying and maintaining 17 men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For the County of Richmond 67 l. 10 s. for the paying and maintaining of nine men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For the County of Vlster and Dutches County 210 l. for the paying and maintaining 28 men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For the County of Suffolk 300 l. for the paying and maintaining 40 men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For Kings County 210 l. for the paying and maintaining 28 men being their quota and proportion as aforesaid For Queens County 225 l. for the paying maintaining 30 men c. For the County of Orange 15 l. for the paying and maintaining two men being their quota and proportions as aforesaid And also be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That such sum or sums of Money of the several sums of 2500 l. lately raised by the Act of General Assembly for the paying and defraying of the Charges of 250 Fuzileers with their Officers raised for the securing and defence of Albany which shall and doth remain undisposed of and not imployed for the Uses aforesaid shall be laid out and applyed towards the defraying the incidental Charge or Expence which shall or may happen or be occasioned by the raising transporting and maintaining of the two hundred Fuzileers with their proper Officers before in this Act mentioned and expressed And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That for the better assessing raising paying the sum of one thousand five hundred Pounds aforesaid The Mayor and Aldermen in the City of New-York for the time being and the Justices of the Peace for the time being for the several respective Counties aforesaid for the several Counties respectively for the which they shall be Justices of the Peace do within forty dayes after the publication hereof assemble and meet together in the Court Houses for the several respective City and Counties or such other place or places as they shall agree upon among themselves and shall there order that the Assessors and Collectors for the several respective City Towns Mannors or Liberties within their several Jurisdictions for the assessing collecting and receiving of the publick Rates for the defraying of the publick Charge of each respective City and County aforesaid be the Assessors and Collectors for the assessing collecting or receiving the sum or sums of Money herein before mentioned according to
keeping a perfect and distinct Account as the same shall come in Which Sum or Sums of Money so by him received as aforesaid shall not be seperated or paid unto any other Person or Persons whatsoever but unto such as shall lend any Money to the Commander in chief c. upon the Credit of this Act who shall immediately have a Warrant and an Order for the Repayment bearing the same date in which he paid his Money wherein shall likewise be contained the Interest for forbearance and that all Orders for Re-payment shall be Registered in course according to the date of the Warrant respectively without preference of one before another And that all and every Person or Persons shall be paid in course according as their Orders shall stand Registered or entred and that the Money to come in by this Act shall be in the same Order lyable to the satisfaction of the said respective Parties their Executors Administrators or Assigns successively without preference of one before another and not otherwise and not to be divertible to any oâ—her use intent or purpose whatsoever And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Action Bill Plaint or Information shall be brought moved or presented at any time hereafter against any Person or Persons for any matter cause or thing done or acted in pursuance or execution of this Act such Person or Persons so sued or prosecuted in any Court whatsoever shall and may plead the general Issue Not Guilty and give this Act and the special matter in Evidence and if the Plantiff or Prosecutor shall be non-suited or forbear further Prosecution or suâ—fer Discontinuance or Verdict to pass against him the Defendant or Defendors shall have trible Costs for which they shall have like liberty as in case where Costs by Law are given to Defendants Provided alwayes That no Mayor Aldermen or Justices of the Peace shall be troubled sued prosecuted or molested for any omission offence or neglect by virtue of this Act but within the space of one year after such omission offence or neglect and not at any time thereafter any thing herein contained to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding Alwayes provided and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the several Collectors of each respective City and County as aforesaid shall have the liberty to pay the several and respective sums assessed as aforesaid at the day aforementioned in Silver Money or for want thereof in good sufficient and merchantable Provisions at the currant Market Price in Silver Money at New-York any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding An Act for the destroying of Wolves BE it Enacted by the Commander in chief and Council and Representatives couvened in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That for the destroying of Wolves who have lately increased very much to the great discouragement of Pasturage and encrease of Sheep and Cattle That whatsoever Christian shall kill a grown Wolf upon Long-Island or Staten-Island he shall have for each Wolf that shall be killed twenty Shillings to be paid out of the publick Treasury of each respective County where the Wolf shall be killed and for a Wolf Whelp above half a year old there shall be paid as aforesaid ten shillings And whatsoever Indian shall in like manner kill any Wolf shall have for his Reward one Matchcoat or twelve Shillings and for a Wolf Whelp five Shillings to be paid him as aforesaid And if any other County in the Province have a mind to encourage the destroying of Wolves they shall do it in such manner and way as to them shall seem meet And the Justices of the Peace and other Officers of the respective Counties aforesaid shall take effectual care to see this Act and every clause therein duely executed accordingly Acts passed in the fourth Sessions of the General Assembly begun in the City of New-York the 14 day of August Annoque Dom. 1692. in the 4th Year of their Majesties Reign King William and Queen Mary under the Government of his Excellency Benjamin Eletcher Esq Captain General and Governour in chief in and over their Majesties Province of New-York and Territories thereon depending in America An Act for the raising and pay two hundred and twenty Men with their proper Officers together with the incidental Charges that shall arise thereon for the Re-inforcement and Security of the Fronteers of this Province at Albany for 7 Months WHereas the Levys appointed for the Defence of the Fronteers of this Province at Albany do expire on the first day of October next and that it is absolutely necessary that there should be continued at that place a considerable Force for the ecurity of this Province as well as for the necessary Defence of their Majesties Neighbouring Plantations Be it therefore Enacted by the Governour Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That his Excellency the Captain General do immediately upon the Publication hereof issue out his Warrants under his Hand and Seal to the several and respective Military Officers of the several and respective Counties hereafter named for the raising of 220 men well provided with Arms to be peremptorily at Albany on the first day of October next ensuing and there to continue and remain for the Reinforcement and Security of this Province for the term and space of seven Kalender Moneths to commence on the said first day of October and to expire on the first day of May then next ensuing in such quota's and proportions in each respective County as is hereafter specified and expressed to wit For the City and County of New-York sixty effective men For the County of Westchester twenty five effective men For the County of Richmond ten effective men For Kings County thirty four effective men For Queens County forty four effective men For the County of Suffolk forty five effective men For the County of Orange two effective men And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any of the respective Military Officers in the respective Counties aforesaid shall after the Receipt of the Warrants from the Captain General in manner aforesaid fail neglect refuse or delay to execute the said Warrants according to the true intent and meaning thereof shall for such their failure or neglect refusal or delay answer the same before the Captain General or such other Officers as he shall appoint and there suffer such Mulets Pains and Punishment as by the Captain General shall be thought convenient according to the Laws and Articles of War in that case made and provided in their Majesties Realm of England any thing contained herein or any other Law to the contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding And for the paying and maintaining the said two hundred twenty men and their proper Officers Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That a Levy of two Thousand eight Hundred and
it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Action Bill Plaint or Information shall be brought moved or presented at any time hereafter against any Person or Persons for any matter cause or thing done or acted in pursuance or execution of this Act such Person or Persons so sued or prosecuted in any Court whatsoever shall and may plead the general Issue Not Guilty and give this Act and the special matter in Evidence and if the Plantiff or Prosecutor shall be non-suited or forbear further Prosecution or suffer Discontinuance or Verdict to pass against him the Defendant or Defendants shall have trible Costs for which they shall have like Remedy as in case where Costs by Law are given to Defendants Provided alwayes That no Mayor Aldermen or Justices of the Peace shall be troubled sued prosecuted or molested for any omission offence or neglect by virtue of this Act but within the space of one year after such omission offence or neglect and not at any time thereafter any thing herein contained to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding Alwayes provided and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the several Collectors of each respective City and County as aforesaid shall have the liberty to pay the several and respective sums assessed as aforesaid at the day aforementioned in currant Silver Money at New-York or for want thereof in good sufficient and merchantable Provisions at the Rates and Prices hereafter specified and expressed to wit good and merchantable Pork at the Rate of Fifty Shillings per Barrel the Barrel well Re-packed by the sworn Packer of New-York and the Barrel containing thirty one Gallons and half Winchester Measure at least Beef at the Rate of thirty two Shillings and six Pence per Barrel well re-packed by the sworn Packer of New-York aforesaid the Barrel to contain thirty one Gallons and half Winchester Measure at least Good merchantable Winter Wheat at four Shillings per Busâ—el Tryed Tallow at four Pence half Penny per Pound An Act for the raising and paying of Eighty Men in Ulster and Dutches County to be imployed for the Re-inforcing and Security of Albany from the 15th Day of December next to the first of March then next ensuing WHereas it is convenient that the County of Vlster and Dutches County should be excused from their Quota's of 300 Men since they are to provide eighty men for the Re-inforcement of Albany in the time of the most eminent danger Be it Enacted by the Governour and Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That the Governour do issue out his Warrant under his Seal to the Military Officers of Vlster and Dutches County to levy eighty effective Men with their Arms to be peremptorily at Albany on the 15th day of December next and there to continue and remain for the Re-inforcement Security and Defence of the Fronteers there until the first day of March then next following And also that the said Captain General would form the said Number of eighty effective men into such Companies as he shall think convenient and to Commissionate and appoint so many Officers over them as he shall think needful in the said County And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Counties of Vlster and Dutches County shall at their own proper Cost and Charge well and sufficiently provide that the said eighty effective men be well supplyed with good and wholsom Provisions of Beer Bread and Meat and Ammunition during the time that they shall be imployed in the service aforesaid and also take effectual care that all and every of the said effective Men be well paid according to the Kings establishment after the expiration of the said Service and likewise that they shall pay and satisfie such Officers as shall be Commissionated and appointed over them according to the Kings establishment aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Officer Civil or Military within the said County shall delay neglect or refuse to perform and execute the several and respective Articles and Clauses of this Act according to the true intent and meaning thereof he or they so neglecting refusing or delaying shall be lyable to such Penalties respectively as are in case of such refusal neglect or delay provided in the other Act of this present Sessions entituled An Act for raising and paying two hundred and twenty Men c. Acts passed in the fifth Sessions of General Assembly begun in the City of New-York the 24th of Octorber 1692. Act for establishing a Revenue upon their Majesties and for defraying the publick and necessary Charges of the Government THe Representatives of their Majesties Province of New-York convened in General Assembly taking into their Consideration that the Act made for establishing a Revenue for the defraying the publick Charges of the Province doth expire and terminate according to the Limitations in the said Act made and provided on the eighteenth day of May next And they being likewise sensible of the great and urgent occasions which do daily press their Majesties to an extraordinary Expence for the Defence of this their Province and Dominion against the Designs and Invasions of the common Enemy And finding it also necessary that in this time of so great and eminent Danger that their Majesties Government over this Province should be honourably supported and maintained They in most Thankful Acknowledgment of their Majesties tender care of the Wellfare of their Subjects in this Province have chearfully and unanimously for the purpose aforesaid given and granted and do hereby give and grant to their Majesties the several Rates and Duties of Excise herein after mentioned and do most humbly beseech that it may be Enacted And Be it therefore Enacted by the Governour and Council and Representatives now met in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same that from and after the 18th Day of May next which shall be in the Year of our Lord 1693. There shall be throghout this their Majesties Province of New-York and the Territories depending thereon in America Raised Levyed Collected and Paid for the purpose and intent aforesaid during the space and term of Two Years from the eighteenth Day of May aforesaid and no longer the Rates and Duties of Excise herein after mentioned in manner and form following that is to say For every Gallon of Rum Brandy and Distilled Liquors that shall be Imported into this Province and Dependencies aforesaid the sum of Four Pence currant Money of this Province And for every Pipe of Madera Malmsey Fyall St. Georges â—isadâ— Canary Mallego Sherry and all sorts of Sweet Wines the Sum of Forty Shillings currant Money aforesaid And so in proportion for all greater and smaller Quantities Imported as aforesaid And for every Hogshead of Red White and Rhenish Wines the Sum of Twenty Shillings currant Money aforesaid And so in proportion for all greater and smaller Quantities
of the Town or Precinct or any deputed by him where the the Parry complained against doth live which Summons being Personally served or left at the Defendants House two dayes before the Day of Hearing of the Plaint shall be sufficient Authority to and for the said Justice assisted with one of the Free-holders as aforesaid to proceed on such Cause and Causes and determine the same in the Defendants absence and to grant Execution thereupon against the Defendants Person or for want thereof his Estate which the Constable of the Town or Precinct or his Deputy shall and may serve Alwayes provided and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if the Plantiff or Defendant shall desire a Jury it shall be allowed but at the proper Cost and Charges of the Person desiring the same And for the encrease of Virtue and the discouraging of Evil-Doers Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there shall be held and kept in every respective City County within this Province at the times and places hereafter named and expressed a Court of Sessions of the Peace that is to say For the City and County of New-York and Quange County at the City Hall of the said City four General Quarter Sessions of the Peace annually and every Year upon the first Tuesday of May the first Tuesday in August the first Tuesday in November and the first Tuesday in February For the City and County of Albany three General Sessions of the Peace at the City Hall of the said City annually and every Year on the first Tuesday in June on the first Tuesday in October and on the first Tuesday of February And for the County of Westchester two General Sessions of the Peace annually and every Year at Westchester on the first Tuesday of June and on the first Tuesday of December And for the County of Vlster and Dutches County two General Sessions of the Peace annually and every Year at Kingston on the first Tuesday of March and the first Tuesday of September And for the County of Richmond two General Sessions of the Peace annually and every Year at the Court House in the said County on the first Tuesday in March and the first Tuesday of September And for Kings County two General Sessions of the Peace annually and every Year at Flatbush or the second Tuesday of May and on the second Tuesday of November And for Queens County two General Sessions of the Peace annually and every Year at Jamaica on the first Tuesday in May and on the third Tuesday of September And for Suffolk County two General Sessions of the Peace annually and every Year on the last Tuesday in March at Southampton and on the last Tuesday of September at Southold Which General Sessions of the Peace in each respective City and County aforesaid shall only hold and continue for the space and time of two dayes and no longer And for the more Regular and Beneficial Distribution of Justice to the Inhabitants of each respective County aforesaid Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there shall be kept and holden a Court of Common Pleas in each respective County aforesaid at the Times and Places hereafter named and mentioned That is to say At such Places in each respective County as the said General Sessions of the Peace are to be kept and to begin the next day after the Sessions terminate and then only to hold and continue for the space and time of Two Dayes after and no longer And that there be a Judge assisted with three Justices of the Peace in each respective County appointed and commissionated to hold the same Court of Pleas three whereof to be a Quorum And that the several and respective Courts of Pleas hereby established shall have Power and Jurisdiction to Hear Try and finally determine all Actions or Cause of Actions and all Matters and Things and Causes tryable at the Common Law of what Nature of Kind whatsoever so that the Action or Cause of Action the Matter Thing and Cause Tryable and the Nature and Kind thereof doth not relate to or concern Titles of Land Provided always and it is hereby Enacted That there shall not be any Appeal or Removal by Habeas Corpus of any Person or of any Action or Suit or of any Judgment or Execution that shall be determined in the said Courts of Pleas to the Value of Twenty Pounds or under any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding And it is further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Courts of Mayors and Aldermen of the respective Cities of New-York and Albany shall have in each of their respective Cities the Powers and Authorities to Hear Try and finally to Determine all such Suits and Actions of their Corporations as is commonly cognizable before them From which final Determination there shall not be any Appeal or Removal by Habeas Corpus of any Person or of any Action or Suit or of any Judgment or Execution to the value of Twenty Pounds or under any thing herein contained to the contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding To which respective Courts of Common Pleas there shall belong and be appointed and commissionated for that purpose one Clark of the Court to draw enter and keep the Records Declarations Pleas and Judgments there to be had and made and one Marshal or Cryer of the Court to call the Jurors and proclaim the Commands and Orders of the Court. And for the more regular proceedings in the said Court all Process and Writs of what Nature soever for the command of Persons to appear and to execute the Judgments and Executions of the respective Courts aforesaid shall be directed to the respective Sheriffs of each County aforesaid and executed by them their Under-Sheriffs or Deputy or Deputies And all Process and Writs for Actions betwixt party and party in the said Court shall issue out of the Office of each respective Clark of each respective Court signed Per Curiam Provided alwayes That nothing herein contained shall be taken or construed to take away the Priviledge of the Town of Kingston in the County of Vlster for the hearing and determining all Actions and Cause of Actions arising within the Liberties of the said Town to the value of five Pounds under any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding And that all their Majesties Subjects inhabiting within this Province may have all the good proper just easie and beneficial wayes for the securing and recovering their just Rights and Demands within the same Be it further Enacted and it is hereby further Enacted and Ordained by the Authority aforesaid That there shall be at New-York a Supream Court of Judicature the which shall consist of five Justices which shall be appointed and commissionated for that purpose two whereof together with one chief Justice to be a Quorum Which Supream Court are hereby fully impowered to
have Cognizance all of Pleas Civil Criminal and Mixt as fully and amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever as the Courts of Kings Bench Common Pleas and Exchequor within their Majesties Kingdom of England have or ought to have In and to which Supream Court all and every Person and Persons whatsoever shall or may if they shall see meet commence or remove any Action or Suit the Debt or Damage laid in such Action or Suit being upwards of Twenty Pounds and not otherwise or shall or may by Warrant or Certiorarie remove out of any of the respective Courts of Mayor and Aldermen Sessions of the Peace and Common Pleas any Judgment Information or Indictment there had and depending Provided alwayes that the Judgment removed be upwards of the Valve of Twenty Pounds Out of the Office of which Supream Court at New-York aforesaid all Process shall issue out under the Test of the Chief Justice of the said Court and to which Office all Returns shall be made Which Supream Court shall be holden at such Times and Places as herein after is limitted appointed For the City and County of New-York and County of Orange on the first Tuesday in April and on the first Tuesday in October annually and every Year For the City and County of Albany the first Tuesday in Mar. For Vlster and Dutches County the third Tuesday in May. For the County of Westchester the last Tuesday in June For Kings County the first Tuesday in August For Queens County the second Tuesday in August For the County of Suffolk the third Tuesday in August And for the County of Richmond the second Tuesday of June And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and every of the Justices or Judges of the several Courts afore-mentioned be and are hereby sufficiently impowered to make ordain and establish all such Rules and Orders for the more Regular practising and proceeding in their said Courts as fully and amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever as all or any of the Judges of the several Courts of the Kings Bench Common Pleas and Exchequor in England legally do Provided alwayes and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Persons Right or Property shall be by any of the aforesaid Courts determined except where matters of Fact are either acknowledged by the Parties or Judgment he acknowledged or passeth by the Defendants Fault for want of Plea or Answer unless the Fact be found by the Verdict of Twelve Men of the Neighbourhood as it ought to be done by the Law And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That one of the Justices of the said Supream Court commissionated as aforesaid shall once in every Year at the aforesaid Times and Places in each respective County aforesaid go the Circuit and at the places and times aforesaid there hold the Supream Court being then assisted by two or more of the Justices of the Peace of the several respective Counties where the said Supream Court is to be holden and shall there hear and determine all Process and Pleas there depending and issued as aforesaid Alwayâ—â— provided That in such County where there is no Process issued or Pleas depending That the Justice shall not be then obliged to go the Circuit to the said County any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding Alwayes provided the Sessions of the said Supream Cours shall not continue nor hold longer at New-York than five dayes at the other respective places in each respective County than two dayes and no longer And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there shall be a Court of Chancery within this Province which said Court shall have Power to hear and determine all Matters of Equity and shall be esteemed and accounted The High Court of Chancery of this Province And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Governour and Council be the said High Court of Chancery and hold and keep the said Court And that the Governour may depute nominate and appoint in his stead a Chancellor and be assisted with such other Persons of the Council as shall by him be thought fit and convenient together with all necessary Officers Clarks and Registers as to the said High Court of Chancery are needful Provided alwayes and it is hereby further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That any Free-holder Planter Inhabitant or Sojourner within this Province may have liberty if he or they see meet to make his or their Appeal or Appeals from any Judgment obtained against him or them in case of Error in the several Courts aforesaid in such manner and form as is hereafter expressed That is to say From the Courts of Mayor and Aldermen and Courts of Common Pleas to the Supream Court for any Judgment above the Value of Twenty Pounds And from the Supream Court at New-York to the Governour and Council for any Judgment above the value of One Hundred Pounds And from the Governour and Council to Their Majesties in Council for any Decree or Judgment above the Value of Three Hundred Pounds as in their Majesties Letters Patents to his Excellency doth and may more fully appear Alwayes provided That the Party or Parties so appealing shall first pay all Costs of such Judgment or Decree from which the Appeal ariseth and enter into Recognizance with two sufficient Sureties for double the value of the Debt Matter or Thing recovered or obtained by Judgment or Decree against him or them to the said Court from which they appeal That they will prosecute the said Appeal or Appeals with Effect and make Return thereof within twelve Months after the said Appeal or Appeals here made And if default happen thereon then Execution to issue out upon the Judgment against the Party or their Sureties in course without any Scire facias Provided alwayes That the establishing of these Courts shall not be or remain longer in force than for the time and space of two Years from and after the Expiration of the former Act before-mentioned and no longer An Act for settling Fairs and Markets in each respective City and County throughout this Province WHereas great Inconveniency doth arise unto the Inhabitants of the Province for want of certain Market dayes in each respective City and County throughout the same the Trade of the Province is likewise very much discouraged for want thereof as well as for the want of publick Fairs in each respective City and County to be held and kept at least once in every Year For Remedy whereof and that Trade and Commerce may be the better encouraged and propagated for the good and weal of all the Inhabitants aforesaid Be it therefore Enacted by the Governour and Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same That there shall be held and kept in the respective Counties aforesaid upon every Thursday of the Week
Fair shall endure to the intent that Merchants and others shall not be at the same Fairs over the time so published upon pain of being fined for the same Nor that the said Governor or Ruler shall not hold their respective Fairs over the due time hereby limitted upon pain of forfeiting the keeping of the said Fairs unto their Majesties And for the preventing of Abuse in any of the aforesaid Fairs and Markets Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Governor or Ruler of the respective Fairs aforesaid shall yearly appoint and limit out a certain and special open place within the respective Towns aforesaid where the respective Fairs are to be held and kept where Horses Mares Geldings Colts and other Cattle may be sold In which said certain and open place as aforesaid there shall be by the Governour or Ruler aforesaid put in and appointed one sufficient Person oâ— more to take Toll and keep the same place from ten of the Clock in the Morning until Sun-set of every day of the aforesaid Fairs and Markets upon pain to loose and forfeit upon every default forty Shillings And that every Toll-gatherer his Deputy or Deputies shall during the time of every the said Fairs take the sum of Nine Pence as due and lawfull Toll for every such Horse Mare Gelding or Colt at 〈◊〉 â—aid open place to be appointed as aforesaid and between the hours of Ten of the Clock in the Morning and Sun-set of the same day if it 〈◊〉 tendered and not at any other time place and shall have present before him or them at the taking of the same Toll the Parties to the Bargain Exchange Gift Contract or putting away of every such Horse Mares Gelding or Colt and also the same Horse Mare Gelding or Colt so sold exchanged or put away and shall then write or cause to be written in a Book to be kept for that purpose the Names Sir-names and dwelling Places of all the said Parties and the Colour with one special Mark at least of every such Horse Mare Gelding or Colt on pain to forfeit at and for every default contrary to the intent hereof the sum of forty Shillings currant Money aforesaid And the said Toll-Gatherer or Keeper of the said Book shall within one day next after such Fair bring deliver his said Book to the Governor or Ruler of the said Fair who shall then cause a Note to be made of the true Number of all Horses Mares Geldings and Colts sold at the said Fair and shall there subscribe his Name upon pain to him that shall make default therein to lose and forfeit for every default the sum of forty Shillings currant Money aforesaid and also to answer to the party grieved by reason of the same his Negligence in every behalf And the said Governor or Ruler his Deputy or Deputies shall take for the entring of every Horse Mare Gelding Colt sold in the respective Fairs as aforesaid for Toll of the same the sum of Nine Pence the one half to be paid by the Buyer and the other half by the Seller Provided always That nothing herein contained shall be taken or construed to infringe upon the Rights and Priviledges of the Cities of New-York Albany Ranslers-wick but that the Mayor and Aldermen the Proprietor of the Mannor of Ranslaers-wick of their respective Cities and Mannor for the time being shall always be pursuant to the Directions of their respective Charters and Grants the only Rulers or Governours of the afore-mentioned Fairs to be held in their respective Cities and Mannors any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding An Act for the supervising Intestates Estates and Regulating the Probate of Wills granting Letters of Administration WHereas the Right of Orphans and the Estate of such as dye Intestate throughout this Province and Dependencies are often concealed wasted imbezeled and destroyed to the utter Ruin of many Orphans and the prejudice of the next of Kin to such as dye Intestate for want of having good sufficient Persons in each respective County throughout the Province for the due and regular Enquiry after the same Be it therefore Enacted by the Governour and Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same That on or before the 25th day of March next in the Year of our Lord 1693. there shall be elected or appointed in each respective Town throughout the Counties within this Province two able and sufficient Free-holders who shall upon the Death of any Person or Persons in their respective Towns repair unto the House Place or Habitation where the deceased did reside within forty eight hours after the Interment of the said deceased and there make Enquiry If the deceased made any Will or had any Real or Personal Estate not devised by him at the time of his or their Death And if upon Enquiry that he made no Will but dyed Intestate then and in such case it shall be lawful for such Person or Persons elected or appointed in each respective Town as aforesaid to make strict and diligent Search and Enquiry into all the Real and Personal Estate that the said Intestate dyed possessed of and the same to Inventory and bring or cause to be brought unto such Person or Persons in the County where such Intestate dyed who shall by the Governour for the time being be delegated on purpose for supervising Intestates Estates c. in each respective County throughout the Province and the same with him file declaring upon their Oathes That the said Inventory doth contain a true and perfect Account of the said Intestates Estate that has come unto their Knowledge Whereupon the Person or Persons so delegated as aforesaid shall issue out his or their Worrant to two good and sufficient Free-holders inhabiting within the Town where the Intestate dyed for the Appraisment of the Goods Chattels left by the Intestate and Inventoryed as aforesaid And upon the Return thereof to him he shall cause the same to be secured or sold for the most of their Value and the produce thereof to remain in his hands or put out into good and sufficient hands who shall be able to produce the same again when the next of Kin shall appear in right to claim the same And if the said Intestate at the time of his Death did leave a Wife and Children behind him then and in such case the Wife shall only have the Right of Administration upon the said Intestates Estate as the Law doth direct and not otherwise But if the said Intestate did leave only Orphans behind him and has no Relations or Kindred who will administer upon the said Intestates Estate then the Superviser of each respective County delegated as aforesaid shall only have the Administration and Care of the said Intestates Estate and the same shall secure as aforesaid for the use benefit and
Cheese the same Starch the same both exported and imported also Tallow three pence exported Ginger the same Hops the same Dry Fish two pence the same Brimstone two pence the same imported Rozen two pence the same exported only Cordage three pence the same Grocery Ware two pence the same Bread one penny the same Flower the same Pitch two pence the same And that all broken Weights shall pay in proportion accordingly And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all other species of Goods Wares and Merchandizes that are not herein named and expressed shall voluntarily be brought by any Person or Persons within the same to be weighed as aforesaid shall for such their weighing pay after the Rates and Duties hereby established and not otherwise And for the better collecting and paying the Rates and Duties aforesaid Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all such Person or Persons that from and after the time aforesaid That shall import to or export from this City or shall buy sell barter or exchange within the same any the Goods Wares and Merchandizes afore-mentioned enumerated and expressed without bringing the same unto their Majesties Beam aforesaid and there answer and pay the Rates and Duties hereby established as aforesaid shall then and for so often as he or they shall neglect or refuse to do the same pay or forfeit unto their said Majesties the sum of two Shillings and six Pence currant Money aforesaid for each Handred weight of such Goods Wares and Merchandizes as aforesaid that shall be denyed or refused to be weighed as aforesaid to be recovered before any Justice of the Peace within the said City or in any Court within the same by Bill Plaint or Information one half unto their Majesties their Heirs and Successors and the other half to the Informer or Prosecutor who shall sue for the same together with costs of Prosecution Provided alwayes That the Regulation nor any part thereof shall not extend to compell any Free-holder within this Province to bring his Goods to be weighed who shall swear upon the holy Evangelist bona fidae That all such Goods exported or imported are his own proper Estate and that no other Person hath directly or indirectly any Interest therein but that they are exported or imported upon his own proper Account and Risco Which if such a Person shall be found falsly to swear in the Premises shall be prosecuted against as one convict of willfull Perjury And that the Collector or such Person as he shall appoint shall be impowered to administer such an Oath Acts passed in the sixth Sessions of General Assembly begun the 12th of September 1693. An Act for settling a Ministry raising a Maintenance for them in the City of New-York County of Richmond Westchester and Queens County WHereas Prophaneness Liscentiousness hath of late over-spread this Province for want of a settled Ministry throughout the same To the end the same may be removed and the Ordinances of God daily administred Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Representatives convened in General Assembly and by the Authority of the same That in each of the respective Cities and Counties hereafter mentioned expressed there shall be called inducted and established a good sufficient Protestant Minister to officiate and have the care of Souls within one year next and after the publication hereof That is to say In the City of New-York One in the County of Rìchmond one in the County of Westchester two one to have the care of Westchester Eastchester Yeanches and the Mannor of Pellham the other to have the care of Rye Manerenock and Bedford in Queens County two one to have the care of Jamaica and the adjacent Towns Farms the other to have the care of Hempsted and the next adjacent Towns and Farms And for their respective Encouragement Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there shall be annually and once in every Year in every of the respective Cities and Counties aforesaid assessed levyed collected and paid for the maintenance of each of their respective Ministers the respective sums hereafter mentioned that is to say For the City County of New-York One Hundred Pounds for the two Precincts of Westchester one hundred Pounds to each fifty Pound to be paid in Country Produce at Money price For the County of Richmond forty Pound in Country Produce at Money price And for the two Precincts of Queens County one hundred and twenty Pounds to each sixty Pound in Country Produce at Money price And for the more orderly raising the respective Maintenances for the Ministers aforesaid Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the respective Justices of every City and County aforesaid or any two of them shall every year issue out their Warrants to the Constables to summon the Free-holders of every City County Precinct aforesaid together on the 2d Tuesday in January for the chusing of ten Vestry-men two Church-Wardens the said Justices and Vestry men or major part of them are hereby impowered within ten days after the said day or any day after as to them shall seem convenient to lay a reasonable Tax on the said respective Cities County Parish or Precinct for the Maintenance of the Minister and Poor of their respective places And if they shall neglect to issue their Warrants so as the Election be not made that day they shall respectively forfeit five Pound currant Money of this Province And in case the said Free-holders duely summoned as aforesaid shall not appear or appearing do not chuse the said ten Vestry-men to Church-Wardens that then in their default the said Justices shall within ten days after the said second Tuesday or in any day after as to them shall seem convenient lay the said reasonable Tax on the said respective places for the respective Maintenances aforesaid And if the said Justices Vestry-men shall neglect their Duty herein they shall respectively forfeit five Pound currant Money aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That such of the Justices and Vestry-men that shall not be present at the time appointed to make the said Tax and thereof be convicted by a Certificate under the hands of such as do appear have no sufficient Excuse for the same shall respectively forfeit five Pound currant Money aforesaid And a Roll of the said Tax so made shall be delivered into the hands of the respective Constables of the said Cities Counties Parishes and Precincts with a Warrant signed by any two Justices of the Peace impowering him or them to levy the said Tax and upon refusal to distrain and sell by publick Out-cry and pay the same into the hands of the Church-Wardens retaining to himself 12 d. per Pound for levying thereof And if any Person shall refuse to pay what he is so assessed and the said Constables do strain for the same all his Charges shall be paid
said Mayor Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the respective Cities and Counties Mannors and Jurisdictions have and shall have Power and Authority by virtue of this Act each of them by himself to administer an Oath to the said Assessors Well Truly Equally and Impartially and in due Proportion as it shall appear to them according to their best Vnderstanding to assess and rate the Inhabitants Residents Free-holders of the respective places for which they shall be chosen Assessors And be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any person or persons who shall be chosen Assessors or Collectors shall deny neglect or unequally or partially assess or refuse to make such Assessment as by this Act is required or shall deny neglect or refuse to collect any Sum or Sums of Money in form afore-mentioned assest that then and in such case it shall and may be lawful for any two Justices of the Peace of the Cities and Counties where such Offenders shall happen to dwell or reside who by virtue of this Act are required and impowered to do the same by Warrant under their Hands and Seals to commit such Assessor or Assessors Collector or Collectors so denying neglecting or unequally and partially assessing or refusing to collect as aforesaid to the common Goal there to remain without Bayl or Mainprize till he or they make Fine and Ransom to their Majesties for such Contempt as aforesaid And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Person or Persons of what Degree or Quality soever he or they be within this Province who shall be assessed or rated any sum or sums of Money by virtue of this Act to be raised and levyed shall deny refuse or delay to pay and satify the same that then it shall and may be lawful for any such Collector by Virtue of a Warrant under the Hand and Seal of any Justice of the Peace for the City or County where such Offender shall dwell or reside who by Virtue of this Act are Required and Authorized to grant and issue forth such Warrant to levy the same by Distress and Sale of such Person or Persons Goods and Chattles returning the Over-plus if any be to the Owners the Sum assessed and Charges of Distress and Sale being first deducted And that where any of the Goods and Chattels shall be distrained for any of the Assesments and Rates aforesaid and the Owner of the said Goods shall not within five days next after such Distress taken and notice thereof with the cause of such taking left at the House or other most known place where the distress was made come and pay to the Collector and Receiver of the Assessment aforesaid that then after such Distress and notice as aforesaid and expiration of the said five days the Collector or person distraining shall and may cause the Goods and Chattels so distrained to be appraised by two sworn Appraisers to appraise the same truely according to the best of their Understandings and after such appraisement shall and may lawfully carry and drive the said Goods and Chattels so distrained into any County or Town throughout the Province and the said Goods and Chattels shall and may there lawfully sell for the best Price can be gotten for the same toward satisfaction of the Rates aforesaid and of the Charges of such Distress Appraisement and Sale giving the Over-plus to the Owners And also be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Mayor Alderman or Justice of the Peace within this Province who are hereby Required Impowered and Authorized to take effectual care that this Act and every Article and Clause therein be duely executed according to the true intent and meaning thereof shall deny neglect refuse or delay to do perform fullfill and execute all and every or any the Dâ—ties Powers and Authorities by this Act required and impowered by him or them to be done performed fullfilled and executed and shall thereof be convicted before the Governour and Council or before any of their Majesties Courts of Record within this Province he or they shall suffer such pain by Fine and Imprisonment as by the discretion of the said Governor and Council and the Justices of the said Courts shall be adjudged And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Action Bill Plaint or Information shall be brought moved or prosecuted at any time hereafter against any Person or Persons for any Matter Clause or Thing done or acted in pursuance or execution of this Act such Person or Persons so sued or prosecuted in any Court whatsoever shall and may plead the general Issue Not Guilty and give this Act and the special Matter in Evidence and if the Plantiff or Prosecutor shall be Non-suited or forbear further Prosecution or suffer Discontinuance or Verdict to pass against him the Defendant or Defendants shall recover Treble Costs for which they shall have the like Remedy as in case where Costs by the Law are given to Defendants Provided always That no Major Alder-man or Justice of the Peace shall be troubled sued prosecuted or molested for any Omission Offence or Neglect by virtue of this Act but within the space of one year after such Omission Offence or Neglect and not at any Time hereafter any thing contained herein to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding Alwayes provided and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the several Collectors of each respective City and County as aforesaid shall have liberty to pay the several and respective Sums assessed as aforesaid at the day aforesaid in currant Money at New-York or for want thereof in good sufficient and merchantable Provisions at the Rates and Prices hereafter specified and expressed to wit good merchantable Pork at the Rates of fifty Shillings per Barrel the Barrel well repacked by the sworn Packer at New-York and the Barrell containing Thirty One Gallons and half Winchester Measure at least Beef at the Rate of Thirty Two Shillings and Six Pence per Barrel well repackt by the sworn Packer of New-York aforesaid the Barrel to contain thirty one Gallons and a half Winchester-Measure at least Good merchantable Winter Wheat at four Shillings per Bushel Tryed Tallow at four pence half penny per Pound Provided always and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if it should so happen that his Excellency pursuant to the Limitations aforesaid could not effect to raise so many Volunteers in manner aforesaid but that for the intent aforesaid his Excellency should be constrained to make proportionable Detachments in the respective Cities and Counties within this Province to compleat the Number of the Forces as aforesaid then it is the true intent and meaning of this Act that there shall only be allowed paid unto such person or persons so detached as aforesaid for the service aforesaid the sum of Eight Pence per Diem for each Person so imployed as aforesaid and no